Jordan Henderson Contract: Latest News and Speculation on Liverpool Negotiations

Jordan Henderson has revealed he has every intention to sign a new contract with Liverpool, after it emerged that the club have opened talks with their vice-captain.

The England midfielder declared his intention to remain with the Anfield club, per Press Association reporter Carl Markham (h/t Daily Mail):

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I am enjoying my football, I love this club and I want to be here for many years so that shouldn't be an issue.

I'll let my agent sort that out, it's nothing to do with me.

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The news will come as a welcome boost for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. He has steadily developed Henderson, signed by club legend Kenny Dalglish in 2011, into a key figure for the Reds.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The 24-year-old has often received criticism for his perceived lack of refined technical quality. In 2013, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson used his autobiography to offer an unflattering appraisal of Henderson's running style, per Daily Mail reporter Matt Lawton:

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On Dalglish’s return to Anfield, Ferguson says few of the Liverpool manager’s signings gave him nightmares. Ferguson believes Henderson’s gait will cause him problems later in his career because he runs from his knees with a straight back.

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But Rodgers has stayed patient and allowed Henderson to play in roles that suit his best talents. That's usually involved deploying the industrious former Sunderland ace as a box-to-box workhorse alongside Steven Gerrard.

Sang Tan/Associated Press

With the veteran playing a deep-lying quarterback-style position in Rodgers' possession-based formations, Henderson has been used to do 34-year-old Gerrard's running for him. It's a tactic that has played to his awesome reserves of energy and tireless work rate.

However, it would be unfair to act as though graft is the only quality Henderson adds to the Liverpool ranks. He has also become more confident and efficient both creatively and in front of goal, as these numbers from WhoScored.com reveal:

Season	Goals	Assists
2011/12	2	1
2012/13	5	4
2013/14	4	7
2014/15	1	3

Squawka football has offered more detailed statistics that specifically chart the improvement Henderson has made since Rodgers took over in 2012:

Rodgers has recently given Henderson more freedom to push forward. The ploy worked well during Liverpool's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, a game settled by Henderson's strike.

A more expansive role can certainly suit Henderson. Playing further forward helped him flourish at Sunderland, where his performances rightly brought him to Liverpool's attention.

Rodgers' midfield ranks are currently heavily populated with players such as Emre Can, Lucas Leiva, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho. But along with Gerrard, Henderson has become the most significant player in his position.

When he officially puts pen to paper, it will be good news for Liverpool and will secure a key cog in a team chasing another top-four finish this season.